It is a blend of Chinese black teas, lightly smoked.
The first tea to reach Russia was a diplomatic gift from the Chinese to Tsar Alexander in 1618. A trade agreement signed in 1689 marked the beginning of bilateral trade. The original agreement included the exchange of tea for Russian furs. The goods were transported by camel caravans. Russians especially preferred black and lightly smoked tea. But because it was relatively expensive, in the first years it was the privilege of the few aristocrats. But supplies gradually became plentiful and by 1796, the Russians were drinking tea equivalent to a load of more than 6000 camels a year! The caravan trade continued until 1903 when the Trans-Siberian railway was built.
